MTC #210 - Of Prophets and New Starts

Music & the Spoken Word today was centered on Thomas S. Monson--who served as the 16th President and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, since 2008. I'd invite you to read a tribute to this great man, HERE, and would certainly invite you to listen to today's music, HERE. 

President Monson had a great love for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the songs we sang today were ones that characterized his life and acts of service. The program opened with "Let There Be Light!" followed by "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today". Light and sunshine were what President Monson was all about. He radiated it in his acts of service to others and relied on it to guide him to those in need. "How Excellent Thy Name" was next, and was the core of President Monson's testimony of God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. The organ solo was "All Things Bright and Beautiful", again, summing up this prophet's life of service. The next two songs were ones from the musicals Wizard of Oz ("Somewhere Over the Rainbow"), and Carousel ("You'll Never Walk Alone"). President Monson was a big fan of musicals and those putting together today's program found it only fitting to include two songs from them. As mentioned in the Spoken Word today,  "..we say goodbye to Thomas S. Monson with a song that, in some small way, captures this element of his life and ministry: “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

The choir ended by singing "Redeemer of Israel"--an anthem to what President Monson and Church members everywhere believe:   

Redeemer of Israel,
Our only delight,
On whom for a blessing we call,
Our shadow by day
And our pillar by night,
Our King, our Deliv’rer, our all!

You'll be missed, President Monson. 

In other news, with the start of the new year came the beginning of an incredible journey for 40 new choir members. We saw them Thursday night at rehearsal, taking a tour of the Tabernacle and being instructed by choir leaders. It was rewarding to see them and their happy countenances. Today they came and sat up in the balcony area closest to the choir seats to do some observing. I'm grateful for them for numerous reasons. First, they remind me of when I first joined and how everything was new, fresh, and exciting. Second, they will bring that fresh perspective and excitement into the choir as soon as they finish Choir School at the end of April. And lastly, I'm grateful for them because they help me remember that time is always moving forward. The choir "cycle" is always spinning with new ones coming in each year, and seasoned ones retiring. I'm somewhere in the middle of that cycle and need to recommit myself to treasuring every minute. In fact, I have a hunch that each of us could treasure life a little more--whether it's our families, our friends, or our multiple daily responsibilities and opportunities (along with their accompanying blessings). 

It's certainly one of my goals to do just that.

Until next time, God be with you.